Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914

ERNEST SHORROCKS

12 March 1875 - 20 July 1916

At School 1887 - 1892

Sjt 5626 20th Royal Fusiliers

Ernest was born in Middleton, near Oldham, and in 1881, aged 6, was living at 99 Crosscliffe Street, Moss Side, with father James, a cashier, mother Lucy, elder sister and brother Frances and Frederick, younger brother Henry, also an Old Hulmeian (see Old Hulmeians Lacrosse Club), Lucy's father and one domestic servant. In 1887, Ernest entered School, on its opening day, with a Foundation Scholarship, by which time the family had moved to 47 Keppel Street, Chorlton-cum-Hardy. At School Ernest excelled at sport and academia and on leaving School he went to Manchester University and played for the Old Hulmeians Football and Cricket Clubs.

On gaining a First Class Honours degree in Chemistry, Ernest returned to School as an assistant master in science and mathematics in September 1896. In 1897 he left School for a permanent position as Science Master at Knaresborough Grammar School. In 1900 he took a science mastership at Queen's College, Taunton, where he stayed for some 11 years. Whilst in Taunton, Ernest played cricket and rugby for Taunton and in 1905 made his one and only appearance for Somerset against Lancashire, scoring 0 and 16 not out and taking 2 wickets for 60 runs. "The Field" described the team "as so weak as to be almost unrecognisable". Lancashire won by an innings and 79 runs. Ernest was also a tenor in the Taunton Choral

Society and is reported to have taken part in their concerts and also concerts at Queen's College. It also appears that in April 1906, despite having played rugby all season he was selected to play football for Taunton Casuals in the West Somerset Cup Final against Watchet, Taunton winning 2-1 by means of a dubious penalty awarded in the first half and a goalkeeping error. The West Somerset Free Press reported that "Taunton made some alterations in their front rank of very doubtful advantage, the old quintet being re-arranged to let in H Hunter and E Shorrocks" and "the forward line being altogether out of joint".

THE HULMEIAN – December 1916

Old Hulmeians and the War

Killed in Action

Sergeant ERNEST SHORROCKS, Royal Fusiliers, whose death in action occurred on July 20^th, was very well known to the first generation of Hulmeians. He entered the School with a foundation scholarship at its opening in January 1887, and before he left in July, 1892, he was the head of the School in both work and games. He had a large and honourable share in first setting up the standard of all-round excellence which has been our ideal. He was captain in cricket and football, and proceeded to the Manchester University with a County Council Scholarship in science taking his degree of B. Sc. in 1896 with first-class honours in chemistry, and afterwards the degree of M Sc. He returned to the School for a year as assistant master, and then was at Knaresborough Grammar School. At a later period he removed to Taunton on his appointment as science master at Queen’s College. After 10 years service there he went to London University for further study, and afterwards was appointed science master of Taunton Grammar School. Just before the outbreak of war, Sergeant Shorrocks came to spend a holiday with his parents and when war was declared he sad; “Chaps like me ought to go,” and joined the Royal Fusiliers. Captain Templar wrote as follows to his parents; “Sergeant Shorrocks died fighting splendidly. He did wonderful work reorganising the men.” Sergeant Shorrocks excelled at cricket, tennis and football. He was an old member of the Chorlton-cum-Hardy Cricket and Golf Clubs and during the time he lived at Taunton he played in the Somerset County cricket eleven. He showed his continued interest in the old School by giving an annual prize for cricket, which was awarded for excellence in fielding. In him the School has given of her best to the Country, and he has given the School from first to last a high and noble example of which we should be proud.

Biography Manchester University

Ernest was born in 1875 at Middleton to J. H. Shorrocks. He was educated at Hulme Grammar School (1887-1892) and entered Manchester University in 1893 with a County Council Scholarship to study chemistry. He obtained a First Class Honours in 1896 and in 1900 an MSc. In 1896 he took up a post as assistant science master at Hulme Grammar School, moved to St James Grammar School in Knaresborough a year later and then to Queens College as a science master where he remained for 10 years before undertaking further study at London University after which he became a science master at Taunton Grammar School.

Ernest was a keen sportsman. At school he was the captain of the cricket and football teams and whilst at the University he was part of the gymnasium eight. He was also a member of Chorlton Cricket and Golf Clubs. He went on to play cricket for Somerset, making his first appearance in a match against Lancashire in June 1905, and rugby for Taunton town. Each year he returned to his old school to award an annual cricket prize for excellence in fielding.

Ernest was on holiday with his parents when war broke out and despite their objections to his joining the army he clearly felt he had a duty to do so telling them “Chaps like me ought to go”. In September 1914 he joined the University and Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and soon became a Serjeant. He served on the front near La Bassee from November 1915 to June 1916 and then had a short period of leave at home with his parents before returning to the front where he was killed during the attack on High Wood on 20th July 1916. The University magazine noting it “had to mourn the loss of another gallant son”. A Captain Templar of Chorlton-Cum-Hardy wrote to Ernest’s parents to let them know that he “died fighting splendidly. He did wonderful work re-organising the men”. His body was never recovered. Ernest left effects worth £467 7s 10d to John Henry Shorrocks, a commercial clerk. At the time of his death Ernest’s brother Henry was also serving, as a musketry instructor near Newhaven

Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914 - 1919